Berghouse was first introduced to Casey in 2015 when she was asked to pray to the Capuchin on behalf of a friend. She then attended the beatification ceremony in Detroit's Ford Field in 2017, an event she said was proof of Casey's influence on the world. Nearly 70,000 people attended.
She said she felt like the Blessed Mother was calling her to do the film, and that it felt like Casey had spiritually accompanied her during post-production. The more she learned about Casey, the more she loved him, Berghouse said, noting that, through his intercession, the priest taught her how to pray.
"I can say with complete confidence that to learn about him is to love him. Once you learn and love him, you will start to learn his teachings. He had a specific way that he would teach people to pray and to come to God and how we must thank him and do acts of mercy," she said.
Berghouse said Casey, who lived through the Depression, both World Wars, and contracted serious illnesses himself - is the perfect saint for the coronavirus pandemic.
During the Great Depression, she said, the heads of major automotive companies would request Casey to remember their employees in the intentions of Mass and ask the Capuchin for advice on how to help their workers. She said, during today's difficult pandemic, people should rely on him again.
"Here we stand today in the midst of the chaos of COVID. He still intercedes for us. He still can lead us to the place where we can find the most confidence and love in God and strength in knowing that what he has planned for us is already something that we should be thankful for," she said.
Berghouse hopes the documentary will influence its audience to rely on Casey's intercession, but also be a source of inspiration. She said Casey's life is a reflection of God's providence and the hope this brings.
"[We] participate in the call to create a documentary of his life because it was a life that was filled with immense beauty [and] hope. It continues to lead us closer to Christ by what he experienced, what he taught, and what he continues to share, even after he is no longer here," she said.
"I think what we see in his life is an immense promise of hope and God's plan for who we are, wherever that is, whatever it is, God has a plan."
Perry West is a staff writer for Catholic News Agency. He graduated from Franciscan University with his bachelor's in English. Prior to his job at CNA, he worked in construction staffing and coffee.